Trump selects Army veteran and Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army veteran, as his choice for Secretary of Defense.
According to sources familiar with the decision, Hegseth’s selection was a surprise, as he was not initially considered a top contender. Trump reportedly has a long-standing relationship with Hegseth and has been impressed with his intelligence and career achievements. Trump is said to value Hegseth’s military background, including his experiences, which are detailed in his book.
Hegseth's name was not on the initial shortlist, but as Trump struggled to settle on a candidate, he considered Hegseth again, recalling their discussions during Trump’s first term when Hegseth was briefly under consideration to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. One source mentioned that Trump admires Hegseth’s military image, saying, "Trump also thinks he has the look."
Trump’s decision has surprised many within his team, with Hegseth only surfacing as a serious candidate on Monday. A Trump adviser noted that the Fox News host underwent an interview process within the last 24 hours before his selection.
This choice marks a departure from Trump’s previous Defense Secretary picks in his first term, such as four-star General James Mattis and Army Secretary Mark Esper, both of whom Trump later criticized. One Pentagon official expressed shock over the nomination, revealing that some within the Defense Department had only learned of Hegseth’s possible selection shortly before the announcement.
The nomination is expected to spark a potentially contentious confirmation battle, as Trump’s nominees may face challenges, despite Republicans holding a slim Senate majority. When informed of Trump’s decision, Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski simply responded, “wow.” Indiana Sen. Todd Young expressed a desire to learn more about Hegseth’s background, while North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis called the choice “interesting.”
In a statement announcing the decision, Trump praised Hegseth’s military service, his role on Fox News, and his successful book. “Pete has been a warrior for our troops and our country,” Trump stated. “He is tough, smart, and a true believer in putting America first. With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice—our military will be stronger than ever, and America will stand firm.”